International Workingmen's Association Records on Microfilm, 1868-1877
Collection Number: 5213 mf
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
International Workingmen's Association Records on Microfilm, 1868-1877
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5213 mf
Abstract:
Records of a seminal socialist and Communist international labor movement.
Creator:
International Workingmen's Association
Quanitities:
0.22 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
Under the leadership of Karl Marx, this organization was originally based in London.
The Association moved to New York in 1872.
The International Workingmen's Association (IWA) was organized in London at a mass
meeting of European trade unionists in 1864. Karl Marx was elected to the General
Council and he organized the International as a propaganda vehicle for international
socialism. Until about 1869 the International concentrated on organizing trade unions.
After that the International became interested in gaining support for itself in the
United States. It found support in two rival factions of American socialists, the
followers of Ferdinand Lassalle and the followers of Friedrich Sorge. In 1872 the
IWA held a conference at The Hague, at which the General Council voted to move its
headquarters to New York City, thus giving control of the IWA to the Americans, led
by Sorge. The IWA was dissolved in 1876, and many of its members then helped to launch
the Workingmen's Party of the United States.
This collection documents the activities of the International Workingmen's Association,
especially in the United States.
The records of the General Council (1871-1874) include correspondence (1872-1874)
and convention material (1871). Subjects covered include letters written by Friedrich
Sorge regarding Friedrich Engel's financial responsibility for the International;
and the progressively independent behavior of the Swiss, Italian and Spanish federal
councils.
The records of the North American Federal Council (1868-1877) include correspondence
(1871-1877), convention resolutions and proceedings (1870-1876), clippings (1870-1873)
and broadsides (1871-1876). Topics relate to the Sorge faction of the federal council,
commenting on the varying activities of the local sections and how the contemporary
press viewed the International.
The records of Section 26, Philadelphia (1871-1876) include incoming correspondence,
minutes, financial records, membership records and advertising materials. Subjects
included are dissatisfaction that Sorge's Section 1 dominated the federal council;
The Hague conference; and the eight-hour movement in Philadelphia.
The records of Section 1, St. Louis (1870-1877) include correspondence (1870-1877),
financial records (1874-1876), and broadsides.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
International Workingmen's Association Records on Microfilm #5213 mf. Kheel Center
for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
International Workingmen's Association
International Workingmen's Association--Archives--Microform catalogs.
State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
Lassalle, Ferdinand, 1825-1864
Mattern, Carolyn J.
Sorge, Friedrich A. (Friedrich Adolf), 1828-1906
Subjects:
Socialism
Socialism -- United States
Socialists
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Reel 1 |
Records of the International Workingmen's Association -- 1868-1877 : Series 1-2
|
1868-1877 | |
|
Scope and Contents
Positive
|
|||
| Reel 2 |
Records of the International Workingmen's Association -- 1868-1877 : Series 3-4
|
1868-1877 | |
|
Scope and Contents
Positive
|
|||